Robertine Esther Vorwerk
Robertine Esther Vorwerk, 93, passed away on June 8, 2022.
She was born on Dec. 3, 1928, in Elkhart, In., to William Eugene and Fern (Paulmer) Mathis. A Chattanooga resident for many years, she resided recently at Morning Pointe at Greenbriar Cove, Ooltewah.
She is survived by her husband Richard Vorwerk, to whom she was married for 57 years; a daughter Cathy Darlene Faulkner (Pete), Harrison; step-daughter Jeri Rogers (Jim), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl.; grandsons Eric Faulkner (Brittany) with great grandsons Zeb and Liam, Ooltewah; Dustin Karas (Stacy), Colorado Springs, Co.; and Kevin Karas, Soddy Daisy. Other survivors are her sister Darlene Mathis Eddy, Elkhart, In.; nephews Jeffrey Mathis (Ernest Kurdys), Dowagiac, MI; Ronald Mathis, Elkhart, In.; Thomas Mathis (Sandra), Manning South Carolina; nieces Ann Nordman (Dean), Lexington, Ky.; and Jennifer Salvador (Michael), Alpharetta, Ga. Also surviving are grand, great and great-great nephews and nieces.
Mrs. Vorwerk was preceded in death by her parents; her son Steven Clifford Karas, Chattanooga; her brother Paul Tyler Mathis; sister Bette Prugh; brothers-in-law Richard Prugh and Spencer Livingston Eddy, Jr., and sister-in-law Olive Mathis Shaw; all of Elkhart, In.
She was a 1947 graduate of Elkhart High School where she was involved in several organizations and a recipient of academic honors. She enjoyed attending class reunions and treasured memories of summers spent at the family cottage in Michigan at Baldwin Lake.
In 1965 she and Richard Vorwerk were married in Chattanooga. Devoted to her faith, family, and friends, she led a life dedicated to others. A participant in many programs at Ridgedale Baptist Church, she volunteered in a pre-school group, vacation Bible school, Sunday nursery school, and the library. She nurtured the commitments of others in community outreach through her leadership skills. With a love of nature and gardening, she delighted in establishing feeding stations for birds and small animals while providing refuge (usually a personal adoption) for cats and dogs over many years.
She was a cherished granddaughter, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Those left to honor her memory reflect with gratitude upon her loving presence within their lives: her gentleness, graciousness, and generosity of spirit.
At her request, there was no visitation. A private memorial service for the family was held on June 14th at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel, with the Reverend William Owens presiding. Burial followed at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Gifts in Memory of Mrs. Vorwerk may be made to McKamey Animal Shelter, 4500 N. Access Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415 or Chattanooga Hamilton County Humane Educational Society, 4155 Randolph Circle, Chattanooga, Tn. 37408.